Clutch issue?

[Riolongo]

I've run into a problem with my clutch or at least something related to the clutch. I went for a ride one day and the following day I was going to go out again but I had zero friction when I applied the clutch, which meant no riding. I've also noticed clear clean oil under the bike on a couple of different occasions but was not sure of the source.  Does this sound like the slave cylinder may need rebuilding, or something else?

[Harvy]

I've also noticed clear clean oil under the bike on a couple of different occasions but was not sure of the source.  Does this sound like the slave cylinder may need rebuilding?

Sure does.

Harvy

[Dan Filetti]

Yup, very common failure point on the FJ, the slave.

The other tell tail sign is chipping paint around the slave, as Dot 3 is very corrosive to the paint.

Sounds like it needs a rebuild.

Dan

[Riolongo]

Thanks guys, I'll tackle this over the next couple of months.

[red]

Thanks guys, I'll tackle this over the next couple of months.

Riolongo,

Unless you are confident with rebuilding the clutch slave cylinder, you may want to buy a replacement slave cylinder, instead.  There is not a lot of difference in these costs, and if the cylinder has internal damage (such as rust or scoring), you would need a new slave cylinder anyway.  Last I checked, a while back, Randy has them at RPM:
http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39

Cheers,
Red

[Dazza57]

I'm with Red. I lost the fluid on my recent 5500kms ride on my 1990 3cv down south. Replaced the seals, but once inside, I noticed the alloy was nicely corroded so will be ordering a complete new slave cylinder from Randy soon. Fixed it OK to continue with my holiday though.

I think it was the original unit, which has done a good job to live this long.

Cheers, Dazza

[giantkiller]

Yah. I have a spare new one from Randy sitting on the shelf. Waiting for when mine goes bad again.

[movenon]

I rebuilt mine once and then later installed a new one. Because of known problems with the slave unit I will every spring bleed a bit of fluid to help eliminate any water build up and to add a bit of fresh fluid.
George

[FJ1100mjk]

A past member posted a while back that they replaced the clutch system's fluid (brake) with silicone fluid, and didn't experience any leakage after a number of seasons. A lot of variables that could spawn potential slave leakage after its rebuild though.

I also flushed my clutch (and brakes) system and refilled with silicone fluid after rebuilding the slave and M/C. No leaks after two seasons. Maybe too early to tell if it's golden though.

[giantkiller]

I've  been thinking of swapping mine out to silicone. What did you do to flush the system of the other brake fluid?

[Harvy]

As is now fairly common knowledge among us FJ folk, the clutch slave is prone to leaking...... I think it is also fair to say that the cause is heat.....

So a story for you all.......

I last rebuilt the slave on my FJ late November 2009...... just prior to installing a spin-on filter adapter. Since that re-build I have not had a clutch problem and I think it may have to do with the fact that the slave is now able to be cooled a little better with the greater surface area now exposed to air with the removal of the OEM filter housing.

Just a theory of mine..... and I hope I haven't jinxed myself by posting it here.....

Harvy

[FJ1100mjk]

I've  been thinking of swapping mine out to silicone. What did you do to flush the system of the other brake fluid?

Dan:

When I switched to silicone fluid, I had already disassembled the slave cylinder and the master cylinder, so there were no issues with residual brake fluid in the system. I did the same for the front brakes too.

When I switched over to silicone fluid on the rear brake of my '87, that I didn't disassemble, I took the reservoir's hose off (first draining out all of the old fluid as much as possible with a Mityvac), left the bleed screws open on the caliper, and then blew out the system with compressed air (hold a rag over the open bleeder screws, your paint and plastics will thank you for it). I then shot liberal amounts of brake cleaner into/through the system (through open reservoir hose end and open bleeder screws), then again, blew everything out with compressed air. I left everything open for hours/over night to dry thoroughly, reassembled all components, then filled the system with silicone fluid, and purged it of air with the Mityvac.

I assume the whole procedure above, could be applied to the clutch system as well by disconnecting the clutch line at the M/C, and opening the slave cylinder's bleed screw. No doubt others here will have their own tried and true methods for the flush and fill, but this is what I did, and it worked for me.

Good luck.

Marty

[rktmanfj]

Several years ago, Motorcyclist magazine ran an article on switching over to DOT5, and recommended rinsing the system with contact cleaner prior to refilling, which is what I've done on the FJ brakes and clutch.

Harvy, you may be on to something, but I've had to fix the clutch slave twice since switching over, though each might have been probably were caused by the old decrepit slaves I'm using... I need to pony up for a couple of new ones after all these years.